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I love to sew

Thursday, March 31, 2011

I don't know what planet I was on yesterday but I thought yesterday was Thursday. Oops! Anyway just got back from the surgical oncologists office and it was not good. When I thought things couldn't get any worse...I thought wrong. I need to have surgery again. WTH. My breast tissue thickened so much from the radiation, that it is not allowing the fluid to disperse into my tissue and for the hole from the lumpectomy to collaspe onto itself. The surgery will entail removing that thickened tissue and the resulting cyst and hopefully that will solve my breast issue. What a bummer. I will probably miss the rest of the bowling season and a part of the golf season. Yikes. Life goes on and I'm still here and that is all the really matters.
I did manage to get my husband to photograph me in my March jacket--Vogue 8300. I wanted to wear it with the Simplicity dress but my stylist (husband) vetoed that look. I have to admit I do like this look.

I'm currently in "The Sewing Zone" so I'm off to work on my second version of the Simplicity dress!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

First...my knee. Yes I do have a cyst on my knee. No...draining it won't help. I have almost no knee cartlidge left as well as a torn meniscus. The result of many years as a competitive skater, running, aerobics and bowling. It gets worse. I need to have knee replacement but the surgeon doesn't like doing it on someone as "young" as I am unless it's absolutely necessary. Hurting like hell doesn't make it "absolutely necessary?" My only other option is to have arthroscopic surgery. They go in and clean out as much debris (loose andbroken cartlidge) as possible and hope it works enough for me to get older! WTH. I don't want to miss the golf season so I'm going to give it a try. I'm scheduled for surgery Friday morning! Yikes! They are not wasting any time. Surgeon also said that my right knee is not looking so good either but since it's not giving me any trouble, we'll just wait and see.
Second I have to see the surgical oncologist tomorrow. My breast has once again filled with fluid. I know what you're thinking because I'm thinking it to...I'M FALLING APART! I just had it drained in January! I really wish they could add some kind of stopper or cork like a wine bottle so that I could just drain it myself next time. I could remove the cork and drain as often as would be necessary.
Lastly here's some pictures of me wearing my February jacket and the Simplicity dress. The dress is so slimming and as you can see it's navy. Several commenters thought it was black. Now that's it's been mentioned I think I will make a black one. Right now I'm working one that is a small plaid pattern.

I hope you all appreciate my braving the cold of the garage for my craft. I couldn't brave it long enough to photograph me wearing my March jacket. I hope to be able to some time next week.

Monday, March 28, 2011

I'm nearly finished with my third JAM. I don't looke it but I'll wear it anyway. I just need to hem the sleeves and add the buttons and buttonholes. I will say that I love the buttons I've chosen. As soon as it warms up a bit outside I'll have pictures of JAM #2 and 3. I don't like the I prefer taking my picture outside and right now it's just too darn cold. Hurry up Spring!
My washing machine has been getting quite a workout as I've washed nearly 50 yards of fabric from my stash. I want the fabrics to be ready to go for my Spring and Summer sewing. I'm well on the way.
I'm not exactly sure what my next garment will be but I have a sneaking suspicion that it will be a repeat of the Simplicity dress.
Later this morning I have an appointment to see an orthopedic surgeon about the cyst on my knee. The cyst is on the back of my knee and is about 6cm long. Ouch! No wonder I can barely walk. I hope he is able to drain it today so that I can get back to my regular activities...especially working out.
Because I hate posting without pictures, here's a picture of me and my granddaughter. Hmmm. She doesn't look very happy does she?

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

I can't believe this is my first post of the month and the first in over a month. WTH! I've been spending way too much time scrapbooking and cardmaking. Sewing will always be my first love but with scrapbooking and cardmaking, you get instant gratification! Some ink here, a stamp image there, throw in some colorful paper and voila!

I did manage to finish my February Jacket of the Month. I used Simplicity 2284.

Sunday I got a burst and made pattern alterations to Simplicity 2648. Monday I stitched it up in about five hours from start to finish. It's ready to be worn. I like it so much I'm absolutely sure there is more than one in my future.

The photos are not doing the jacket nor the dress any justice and I'm not in the mood to get all doll up! Both patterns offered different bust cup sizes and I think I've made a rather enlightening observation. For my particular body type the D cup offers more than enough width but not enough length. I've noticed this on other patterns as well. Unfortunately I'm a person that tosses the pattern pieces for cup sizes that I'd never fit into so I can't make any comparisons but I am wondering what the difference is on the length measurements on those other pieces as compared to the one I use. For the jacket I didn't make a center front length adjustment and feel as if it hikes up a little in the front. On the dress I added 1" to the overall length of the bodice adding an addition inch to the center front. It worked like a charm. I'll be making a full review of both pattern pieces in the near future but for right now I am making a muslin of my March Jacket of the Month.
On the health front I am still having knee problems. As a result of not being able to work out I have gained 5 lbs! Not a good thing. I'm still wearing the brace and am using a cane. I was limping so badly I felt stupid. My husband bought me a cane and I couldn't be happier. My doctor agreed to sign the handicap parking permit form with no hesitation. They have finally determined I have a Baker's Cyst in the back of my knee. I am waiting for an opening with the orthopedist to have it drained. I've been told that as soon as it is drained I'll be good as new!
I have to leave you with this photo. My dear husband has been at it again. He is still picking out wigs for me. This time I went with him. His first choice would have made me look like a straight up hooker! I vetoed it and several others immediately. This one though captured my personality to a tee! Not only that...I love my smile. Till next time.